City steps toward taller Osborne Village buildings

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This article was published 06/10/2023 (702 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg could soon clear the way for some Osborne Village buildings to reach new heights.

On Friday, council’s property and development committee approved a motion to increase the maximum height, to eight storeys from five, for proposed buildings set to face River Avenue within the village’s high-density residential zone. It would also eliminate restrictions on the number of stories for developments within the zone that don’t have a River Avenue street front.

Coun. Sherri Rollins said the proposed changes to the area’s secondary plan will make it easier for developers to complete projects that support the city’s goal to increase residential density, if council approves.

“We’re building a lot of units… But what I see, almost every quarter, is a developer saying the (city) planners are guided by the secondary plan that reduces height and I just want another storey (on my development). (This) is a move to reduce the red tape, to encourage the density,” said Rollins.

She said this would remove the need for many developers to seek variances to city rules, which can be a time-consuming process, and make taller buildings much easier to get approved. Rollins expects the changes could also help the city attract more affordable housing.

“Sometimes, developers are willing to do more affordable housing if they can just build a couple of floors (more) onto the building.”

The head of the Osborne Village BIZ told the property and development committee the area is already an example of “density done right.”

“Dense communities like Osborne village create vibrant ecosystems where entrepreneurs thrive. We create jobs… enriching the economic fabric of Winnipeg,” said Lindsay Somers.

Somers said increasing density has widespread support among residents and businesses in the area.

Council is expected to cast the final vote on the matter Oct. 26.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga